Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash

Hello, Creekside families! Since February, we’ve been thinking about the way we express love, to each other and to our kids. It’s all about the precious love languages of our little ones and how it may differ from the embrace we’re ready to give them. Are you intrigued? Let’s hop into this cozy puddle of love and understanding together.

The Chatterbox Language

Did you know that our tiny tots may have a different love language from us adults? Feeling loved is an essential part of every child’s early years, and even more so when they step into the world of preschool! Straddling two worlds–home and school is a big step and children need to feel loved in both places.  Some of our little chicks find comfort in words of affirmation and assurance.  Listening and responding to their imaginative stories, even those about purple monkeys on the moon, shows our interest in them as individuals and validates their emotions.

On the flip side, grown-ups may be conditioned to show love through acts of service (like preparing their favorite meal) which leaves them wondering, “Why doesn’t my child appreciate this?” But rest assured, they do! It’s just that their little hearts may feel extra loved when we invest time in their fanciful tales, endless questions and rambling thoughts.

Physical Affection: A Toddlers’ Love-Language

Let’s get physical, shall we? No, not the gym! We’re talking about good old cuddles and tickles! For our lovable mischief-makers, physical touch such as a warm bear hug or gentle hair ruffle might speak volumes more than the coolest new toy. For them, that touch may be their love language providing strong feelings of affection. Sometimes the best way to bridge the love language gap between parents and preschoolers is simply by dedicating time for a giggle-filled tickle session!  Children who crave more back rubs, hugs and snuggles than their siblings are often filling their emotional bucket with those touches.

Quality Time That Adds Up

Here’s our favorite nugget of wisdom – spending time is the quintessential love language of our little ones. Be it baking a yummy batch of cookies, reading their favorite story for the umpteenth time, or making a tower out of those stubborn blocks, the memory of being together is the best gift we can give them. When we break down our day to the moment, every second of shared laughter with our kiddos is precious.  Many young ones just like doing things with a parent—even “helping” with chores which builds self esteem.

In a Nutshell

Understanding your child’s love language can be like peeking into their little hearts. It teaches us that love can find its expression in the simplest of ways – a listened story, a shared laughter, a returned hug. But remember, dear families, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to love languages. Each child is a unique little package of love, ready to be unwrapped in their sweet time!  By responding to your child’s individual love language(s), you are filling their emotional bucket which helps them through hard times later on.

Living and learning about these love languages with our children not only brings us closer to them but also helps us grow alongside them. Let’s continue to nurture this understanding, in turn, nurturing their little minds and hearts in the warmest way possible.  

At Creekside Kids, we believe in playful learning, safety, and community. Share your skiing adventure stories with us in the comments below – we can’t wait to hear about your little one’s first skiing triumphs! If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.